Last Days of the Mighty Mekong

The Mekong river is undergoing profound changes due to development policies and dams, which are stymieing its natural cycles and cutting off food supplies for swathes of the population. Brian Eyler travels from the river's headwaters in China to its delta in southern Vietnam to explore its modern evolution and meet the regions diverse peoples to reveal the urgent struggle to save the Mekong and its unique ecosystem.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Mekong River, renowned for its natural beauty and abundant wildlife, spans thousands of miles through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Its basin is home to over 70 million people and has been a rich agricultural area and biodynamic wonder for centuries. However, today, it is undergoing profound changes due to development policies led by a rising China. These policies aim to interconnect the region and urbanize its inhabitants, while also harnessing the river's energy and stymieing its natural cycles, which could lead to food shortages for many people. Brian Eyler's book, "The Last Days of the Mighty Mekong," explores the river's modern evolution, traveling from its headwaters in China to its delta in southern Vietnam. Along the way, he meets diverse peoples, including villagers, community leaders, politicians, and policy makers, and reveals the urgent struggle to save the Mekong and its unique ecosystem. The river's natural beauty and abundance of wildlife have long attracted people to its shores. Its basin is home to a wide range of plant and animal species, including many that are unique to the region. The river's fertile soil and abundant water supply have made it a major agricultural area, producing rice, fruits, vegetables, and other crops. In addition, the river's unique ecosystem supports a wide range of wildlife, including fish, turtles, and birds. However, the river's natural cycles are now threatened by development policies. Dams are being built to harness the river's energy, but they also stymie its natural cycles and cut off food supplies for swathes of the population. The construction of dams has led to the displacement of many people, and the loss of their homes and livelihoods. In addition, the river's water quality is being degraded by pollution and overuse. Industrialization and urbanization have led to the discharge of toxic chemicals and waste into the river, which can harm both human health and the environment. The Mekong River is also a vital source of water for many countries in the region. However, the river's water is being diverted for use in agriculture, industry, and urban development, leaving little for the environment. This has led to the drying up of rivers and wetlands, and the loss of biodiversity. To address these challenges, there is a need for a comprehensive approach to river management. This should include measures to protect the river's natural cycles, reduce pollution and overuse, and ensure that the river's water is used sustainably. In conclusion, the Mekong River is a vital resource for the region, but it is facing profound changes due to development policies. These policies aim to interconnect the region and urbanize its inhabitants, while also harnessing the river's energy and stymieing its natural cycles. To address these challenges, there is a need for a comprehensive approach to river management that includes measures to protect the river's natural cycles, reduce pollution and overuse, and ensure that the river's water is used sustainably.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 213 x 142 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783607198